Page 96 of Shattered Hearts

I wilt in my seat. This interview isn’t going as I expected. “I’m sorry things turned out the way they did.”

“As am I. Meredith was devastated after Savannah’s death. Completely devastated. I don’t think Meredith would have lastedlong on this earth without her, no matter the circumstances. Do you have siblings?”

I stare into my coffee cup. “I had a brother. We weren’t close, and he passed away a while ago.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” She lifts a cookie off a china plate on the coffee tray and nibbles at the edge. “I know who you are, of course.Truth or Dareis a guilty pleasure. You’re dating Zarah Maddox. You, as well, have your work cut out for you.”

Warning prickles at my skin. “What do you mean?”

“Dating someone who has such an unstable past. You love them so much you think you can fight your way through anything, that your love will be enough. It’s heartbreaking when you realize it’s not.”

“Zarah isn’t like the others. She didn’t belong in Quiet Meadows.”

“She didn’t? Denial can be dangerous, Mr. Davenport. Let me show you out.”

Blunt, to the point. She’s done talking to me.

I set my coffee mug on the tray and stand. I’m not going to try to stay and talk further—we don’t have anything left to say—but I want to know one last thing. “How do you stay so calm? How do you not let it destroy you?”

“I have a strong faith. Meredith used to say I belong to a cult. She hated the Church, but God brings me comfort. He tells me everything happens for a reason, and I believe Him. My girls’ deaths won’t be in vain. That brings me peace. Do you pray, Mr. Davenport?”

Barefoot, she follows me to the front door and opens it, letting in the chill and the bright light.

“No.”

“Then you should. One day you’ll need peace. No one can live this life without it. Goodbye.”

She closes the door and I’m left standing alone on the wide porch feeling anything but peaceful and an empty prayer on my lips.

Pop’s doing paperwork when I stomp into the office. It started to snow, and now it’s almost a blizzard out there.

“How’d that go?” he asks.

“Which part?”

He laughs. “Any part. I feel like I haven’t seen you in days.”

Guilt pokes at me. “Yeah, sorry about that.”

“Never be sorry about spending time in a woman’s warm bed. You’re too old to be alone.”

“The same could be said about you. You should let Zarah set you up. I think her feelings were hurt when you turned her down.”

“Your mother badgers me enough. I need a woman who’s down-to-earth and doesn’t carry a bag worth my whole damned house.”

I hang up my jacket and pat Baby on the nose. “Do you think Zarah and I are a bad fit?”

“When you met her, didn’t I tell you not to think she’s better than you are?”

“I remember, and I don’t feel that way. Not anymore, anyway. Stella helped a lot. Talk about down-to-earth. And the fact that even if their house can fit ten of yours inside it, it still feels like a home, not a museum or a mansion. The dogs have free rein, Lucille walks around laughing, threatening to beat everyone if they don’t pick up after themselves. Douglas and Stella play cards in the kitchen and drink margaritas. They’re real people, not—”

“Not like your mother and Rourke. I got it. Maybe if I could find a woman like Stella, I wouldn’t mind if she had a little money, but the truth is, Stella wasn’t born rich, and Zarah, well. She’s been through a lot. That’s going to change you. If you would have met her seven years ago, before all this shit started happening, then maybe you wouldn’t have been a good match, but what’s the point of talking like that? Zane and Stella might not have been a good match if Zane’s parents hadn’t been murdered. That don’t have anything to do with money, either. What brought this on?”

I sink into one of the chairs in front our desk. “Something Audrey Mesa said. About Zarah belonging in Quiet Meadows. Willow said it, too. It’s like they know something I don’t.”

“They don’t know the inside story. Audrey’s only seen the Lyndhurst footage, and Willow’s been locked up for the past year and a half. Where do they get their information? The news?” Pop scoffs. “Don’t let other people’s opinions color what you know. You’ve never been one to listen to anyone before, so don’t start now. Especially when it’s important.”

“Yeah.” I don’t sound convinced.

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